Legacy Youth Ministry Resources

Illustration texts

Billy Graham Gets Infatuated

As a college student, Billy Graham met Emily Cavanaugh, and was "smitten with love at first sight." For a year, he spent as much time as he could with her. According to Graham, "In my own infatuation, I was sure she was the woman God meant for me to marry. So I proposed to her...." She thought about it for a time before responding "Yes." But later she fell in love with another young man and broke off the relationship with Graham. (Just As I Am, by Billy Graham, p. 51)Good to illustrate how emotions can cloud finding God's will, even in the most spiritual people.? Copyright 2002 Steve Miller - All Rights Reserved

You'll Just Know vs I Have Doubts

Although some say, "You'll just know" when it's the right person, many still entertain doubts. At one time during Billy Graham's and Ruth's courtship, Ruth began to have serious doubts about the relationship. The problem? Ruth felt called to the mission field while Billy's call was yet uncertain. (Just As I Am, p. 77) ? Copyright 2002 Steve Miller - All Rights Reserved

Josh Learns to Trust

Before his marriage to Dottie, great Christian speaker Josh McDowell went through a painful breakup with a girl he had been dating. As he got on a plane to leave, he could hardly walk, and proceeded to cry like a baby. But finally he realized that if God didn't want him with her, then he had someone else who would be even better for him. Looking back, he can now see God's sovereign choice in both he and his former girlfriend's marriages. They could have never been to each other what their mates are to them now. (Josh, The Excitement of the Unexpected) ? Copyright 2002 Steve Miller - All Rights Reserved

Teen Finds Contentment

A 17 year-old guy constantly worried that his girlfriend would find someone she liked better than him. But one day it occurred to him that as God's child, he had nothing to worry about. He thought of it like this, ?If this girl is the one for me, then nothing in heaven or earth can ultimately keep us apart. If she?s not for me, then God has something better for me.? This released him from constant worry, allowing him to loosen up and to enjoy the relationship more. ? Copyright 2002 Steve Miller - All Rights Reserved

Would You Marry

On the need to trust God?s direction, not leaning on your own understanding: As a Senior in high school, "Kent" was voted most dependable, most intellectual, and most likely to succeed. Quite an accomplishment. He also played on the basketball and track teams. Girls, does he seem like the type guy you would like to marry? But who could have known that after high school he would experiment with drugs and damage his brain. From then on, he seemed confused and couldn't farm his family's land. When "Kent's" name made the headlines, it wasn't to note the great achievement his high school friends had predicted. Rather, he had shot 6 people, killing the police officer who had come to take him to a mental institution. And just think, girls, he could have been your husband. ? Copyright 2002 Steve Miller - All Rights Reserved

God Won't Ruin Our Lives

So many fear that if they give their lives to God, He will take all the joy out of their lives and make them miserable. Yet, imagine a son coming to his kind earthly father and saying, ?Father, I have not always been obedient in the past. But now I pledge myself to follow you fully.? Can you imagine the father responding, ?Ah ha! Bread and water for rations. Constant restriction from your friends. I?ll make you regret that you ever made that pledge!? How absurd! But if we would not expect this of our imperfect earthly fathers, how much less should we worry about our perfect heavenly father ruining our lives? ? Copyright 2002 Steve Miller - All Rights Reserved

Hear the Devil's Roar?

"The sweet proof of God's working in your life is when you hear the devil's roar." (Overheard from pastor Miles Seaborn)

You're Using The Freezer Again

On how we often mistake God's hand... An old man and his wife came to the Doctor for their regular check up. "How's life?" asked the Doctor. "Is God meeting your needs?" "He sure does," replied the man. Each night, when I walk to the restroom, He turns the light on and off for me." "Harry," interrupted his wife. "You're using the freezer again."

Carey's Call to Ministry

William Carey, the great father of modern missions, never heard an audible call of God to become a missionary. But as he read of the thrilling voyages of Captain Cook, his mind "became obsessed with latitudes and longitudes; with strange people and islands; coral beaches and naked savages; tribal wars and cannibal orgies. As he read and reflected on the book, it was as if he could almost hear the people calling out, "Come over and help us!" He couldn't get it off his mind that these people needed Jesus. So he began to read about missionaries and study the missionary challenge in the Bible. The map became his prayer chart. Then he read a pamphlet which contained the statement: "It is the duty of those who are entrusted with the Gospel to endeavour to make it known among all nations." He read the words over and over as he made shoes in his workshop until finally he took them to be a direct call from God. (Carrey, by Finnie, pp. 30,31) ? Copyright 2002 Steve Miller - All Rights Reserved

Graham's Doubts

On how we shouldn't always expect God to give us a 100% assurance before we embark on something... Reflecting back on his ministry, Billy Graham considers his early Los Angeles crusade to be the turning point for his ministry. "In eight weeks, hundreds of thousands had heard, and thousands had responded to accept Christ as Savior; 82 percent of them had never been church members." As the word of this crusade spread, it catapulted him to national recognition and began to open up the world to his ministry. In his own words, this crusade "would forever change the face of my ministry and my life." But it is interesting that prior to this crusade, he was plagued with doubts as to whether or not he should do the crusade. In his words, he had a "frightening lack of assurance that the Lord really was leading us to Los Angeles." (Just As I Am, pp. 139, 158) Often, we must make decisions without waiting for a heart certitude.? Copyright 2002 Steve Miller - All Rights Reserved

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